Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Nov. 6th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Good morning and welcome to meeting number 130 of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. This meeting is being televised.

Pursuant to Standing Order 111, we are studying the certificate of nomination of the Right Honourable David Johnston to the position of debates commissioner.

We are pleased to have Mr. Johnston with us this morning. As in the past, I would like to remind members that the committee is only empowered to examine Mr. Johnston's qualifications and competence to perform the duties of the office to which he is being appointed. Please be mindful of this in your questioning of today's witness, so as not to stray into matters beyond the scope of the inquiry.

I wish to inform members that Minister Gould will be available to appear on Thursday, November 22, to provide the committee with a briefing on the independent debates commission. I will therefore go ahead and schedule that appearance.

Thank you for making yourself available today, Mr. Johnston. I think the last time we were together we were skating with Daniel Alfredsson in Sweden, which was great fun.

We look forward to your opening statement

[David Johnston, Nominee for the position of Debates Commisioner, As an Individual]

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. It's a pleasure and honour to appear before this committee.

I would like to thank the members of the committee for giving me an opportunity to discuss a very important issue—the way in which federal leaders' debates are organized in Canada.

I would like to thank the members around the table for their in-depth study of such an important part of Canadian democracy. I've read the report tabled by this committee with great attention.

Thank you for your excellent work.

As some of you may know, safeguarding the health of Canadian democracy is a lifelong commitment and passion of mine. It's for this reason that I intend on donating to charity any compensation associated with the functions of the debates commissioner.

I see this entity as a step in the right direction in our ongoing efforts to safeguard Canada's democratic institutions.

As such, I'm honoured to be considered to lead these efforts, and to work with political parties, stakeholders and media organizations to deliver Canadians the debates they deserve. Having moderated federal leaders debates in 1979 and 1984 and Ontario provincial debates in 1987, I recognize the essential role they play in exposing Canadians to a diversity of political views, including positions that do not always align with their own.

On a personal level, I have always been one to appreciate the political process and the role the media play in a healthy democracy. As commissioner, my priority would be to establish an open and transparent dialogue with Canadians, political parties, media and stakeholders.

I firmly believe that the success of the 2019 debates will rest on the ability of the commission to keep the public interest paramount, while remaining independent and non-partisan.

Members, I look forward to hearing your views on what makes a debate informative and useful for Canadians. I also welcome your thoughts on the composition of an advisory board that reflects a varied repertoire of skills and expertise.

Lastly, I would like to hear your views on who should be consulted.

A healthy democracy is one that is stable, transparent and oriented toward the public interest. These are the values that should guide the organization of leaders debates, and the ones I intend to carry along this process.

I look forward to working with all of you with a view to reporting back to Parliament in 2020 with recommendations based on the 2019 experience that will benefit and inform the future of leaders debates in Canada.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Thank you very much.

Before we begin, I would point out that Elizabeth May will be getting a slot from the Liberals.

I also had a suggestion from the opposition that, if there are bells, because we're so close to the chamber, we continue up to five minutes before the vote. Is there agreement to do that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Thank you.

Madam Lapointe.

[Linda Lapointe, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Lib.]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you kindly for being here today, Mr. Johnston. It's wonderful to see you.

What prompted your return to public life? The organization of federal leaders' debates is very important work. Why were you interested in the position of debates commissioner?

[David Johnston]

I have spent the bulk of my life involved with institutions, universities, commissions and public policy task forces. As I said in my opening statement, I have moderated three debates in the past. As I see it, debates are an essential part of our democracy and democratic way of life. We must constantly work to strengthen public institutions. When asked the question, I said that it was in the public interest.

[Linda Lapointe]

Thank you.

During your opening statement, you said you had organized debates. What would you say has changed since then?

[David Johnston]

The biggest change is social media. It's a revolution, really. The range of stakeholder interests and media is broad. It's necessary to engage young people in the political process, not to mention all Canadians, not just by taking a traditional approach to debates, but also by using new platforms.

[Linda Lapointe]

That's very interesting.

[David Johnston]

The digital revolution is in full swing.

[Linda Lapointe]

Is your goal for the debates to reach as many Canadians as possible, regardless of the media used?

[David Johnston]

That is correct. Another important consideration is to foster a more comprehensive discourse so that Canadians are encouraged to really consider the options available, rather than just reacting to the important issues affecting the country right now.

[Linda Lapointe]

You said in your statement that Canadians were familiar with some issues. I gather that you would broaden the scope of the debates so as not to limit them to the three or four subjects usually in the public eye during an election campaign.

[David Johnston]

That is correct. The easiest solution is to hold the two debates in both official languages. My hope is that the content of the debates will be widely disseminated and that people also consider the big questions that inform our democratic process. We will have to work very hard to make people care more about the debates, so that they pay closer attention to what's being said and a more robust discourse ensues.

[Linda Lapointe]

That's very insightful. I appreciate your desire to broaden the scope of the debate. Many times, people don't realize that 10 or 20 commitments were made during the campaign, thereby influencing the decisions made following the election.

You have been the Governor General and a moderator. Do you think your experience as Governor General will help you in your new role?

[David Johnston]

I think so, yes. First of all, I'd like to say what a privilege it was to hold the office of Governor General of Canada for seven years. Both my wife and I felt honoured. Perhaps the most important thing is to have a very clear sense of who and what the country is. We were grateful to be able to meet so many Canadians in their communities. We met mayors and city councillors in numerous municipalities, volunteer groups and others dedicated to the public good. Canada is a great country, but we can make it even better.

[Linda Lapointe]

How much time do I have left, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Just over a minute.

[Linda Lapointe]

Okay, that's good.

I'd like to ask you a practical question now. Where would your office be located should you become commissioner?

[David Johnston]

We have a small office not far from Parliament, on Sparks Street. I haven't seen it yet. I also have an office at the Rideau Hall Foundation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Sorry, I wasn't listening, but we're supposed to just be considering his qualifications.

[Linda Lapointe]

Very good.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

It's the only topic for today.

[Linda Lapointe]

Thank you.